All The Claims

1. A cycloalkylcarbonylamino acid derivative represented by formula (I\u2032), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:
wherein R1 represents a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, a group R4O\u2014,

wherein R4 is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl group, substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group or substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group; wherein an oxazolyl group and a thiazolyl group are excluded from the heterocyclic group of R1,
R2\u2032 represents an alkyl group represented by Ra(Rb)CH\u2014
wherein Ra and Rb respectively and independently are a hydrogen atom, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl group, substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group or substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group; and,
ring A represents a cyclic alkylidene group having 6 carbon atoms;
provided that, in the case R2\u2032 is a 2,2-dimethylpropyl group or a 2-(methylthio)ethyl group, R4 is not a t-butyl group, and in the case R2\u2032 is a methyl group, R4 is not a benzyl group;
a substituent of an alkyl group in the groups represented by R4, Ra, and Rb is a group selected from a hydroxyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, halogen atom, aromatic hydrocarbon group, heterocyclic group, alkoxy group, guanidino group, alkylthio group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxy group, arylthio group, acyl group, sulfonyl group, heterocyclyloxy group, heterocyclylthio group, amido group, ureido group, carboxyl group, carbamoyl group, oxo group, sulfamoyl group, sulfo group, cyano group, nitro group, acyloxy group, azido group, sulfonamido group, mercapto group, alkoxycarbonylamino group and Rx(Ry)N group,
wherein Rx and Ry respectively and independently are a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, aromatic hydrocarbon group or heterocyclic group;
a substituent of an alkenyl group or alkynyl group in the groups Ra, Rb and R4 is a group selected from a hydroxyl group, alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, halogen atom, aromatic hydrocarbon group, heterocyclic group, alkoxy group, guanidino group, alkylthio group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxy group, arylthio group, acyl group, sulfonyl group, heterocyclyloxy group, heterocyclylthio group, amido group, ureido group, carboxyl group, carbamoyl group, oxo group, sulfamoyl group, sulfo group, cyano group, nitro group, acyloxy group, azido group, sulfonamido group, mercapto group, alkoxycarbonylamino group and Rx(Ry)N group,
wherein Rx and Ry respectively and independently are a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, aromatic hydrocarbon group or heterocyclic group; and,
a substituent of an aromatic hydrocarbon group or heterocyclic group in the groups R1 and R4 is selected from a hydroxyl group, alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, halogen atom, aromatic hydrocarbon group, heterocyclic group, alkoxy group, guanidino group, alkylthio group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxy group, arylthio group, acyl group, sulfonyl group, heterocyclyloxy group, heterocyclylthio group, amido group, ureido group, carboxyl group, carbamoyl group, oxo group, sulfamoyl group, sulfo group, cyano group, nitro group, acyloxy group, azido group, sulfonamido group, mercapto group, alkoxycarbonylamino group and Rx(Ry)N group,
wherein Rx and Ry respectively and independently are a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, aromatic hydrocarbon group or heterocyclic group; and
a substituent of an aromatic hydrocarbon group in the groups Ra and Rb is a group selected from a hydroxyl group, alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, halogen atom, aromatic hydrocarbon group, guanidino group, alkylthio group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxy group, arylthio group, acyl group, sulfonyl group, heterocyclyloxy group, heterocyclylthio group, ureido group, carboxyl group, carbamoyl group, oxo group, sulfamoyl group, sulfo group, cyano group, nitro group, acyloxy group, azido group, sulfonamido group, mercapto group, alkoxycarbonylamino group and Rx(Ry)N group,
wherein Rx and Ry respectively and independently are a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, aromatic hydrocarbon group or heterocyclic group,
a substituent of a heterocyclic group in the groups Ra and Rb is a group selected from a hydroxyl group, alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, halogen atom, aromatic hydrocarbon group, heterocyclic group, guanidino group, alkylthio group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxy group, arylthio group, acyl group, sulfonyl group, heterocyclyloxy group, heterocyclylthio group, ureido group, carboxyl group, carbamoyl group, oxo group, sulfamoyl group, sulfo group, cyano group, nitro group, acyloxy group, azido group, sulfonamido group, mercapto group, alkoxycarbonylamino group and Rx(Ry)N group
wherein Rx and Ry respectively and independently are a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, aromatic hydrocarbon group or heterocyclic group.
2. The cycloalkylcarbonylamino acid derivative according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the alkyl of R4, Ra, Rb, Rx and Ry is a linear C1-12 alkyl or C3-12 branched or cyclic alkyl, the aromatic hydrocarbon of R1, R4, Ra, Rb, Rx and Ry is a monocyclic or polycyclic C6-18 aromatic hydrocarbon group, the heterocyclic group of R1, R4, Ra, Rb, Rx and Ry is a 3- to 7-membered ring containing at least one nitrogen atom, oxygen atom or sulfur atom as a ring-constituting hetero atom, the alkenyl group of Ra, Rb, R4, Rx and Ry is a linear C2-12 alkenyl group or C3-12 branched or cyclic alkenyl group, and the alkynyl group of Ra, Rb, R4, Rx and Ry is a linear C2-12 alkynyl group or C3-12 branched or cyclic alkynyl group.
3. A cycloalkylcarbonylamino acid derivative represented by formula (I\u2033) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:
wherein R1\u2032 is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group,
wherein an oxazolyl group and a thiazolyl group are excluded from the heterocyclic group of R1\u2032,

R2\u2032 represents an alkyl group represented by Ra(Rb)CH\u2014
wherein Ra and Rb respectively and independently are a hydrogen atom, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl group, substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group, or substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group; and
ring A represents a cyclic alkylidene group having 6 carbon atoms;
a substituent of an alkyl group of Ra, and Rb is selected from a hydroxyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, halogen atom, aromatic hydrocarbon group, heterocyclic group, alkoxy group, guanidino group, alkylthio group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxy group, arylthio group, acyl group, sulfonyl group, heterocyclyloxy group, heterocyclylthio group, amido group, ureido group, carboxyl group, carbamoyl group, oxo group, sulfamoyl group, sulfo group, cyano group, nitro group, acyloxy group, azido group, sulfonamido group, mercapto group, alkoxycarbonylamino group and Rx(Ry)N group,
wherein Rx and Ry respectively and independently are a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, aromatic hydrocarbon group or heterocyclic group;
a substituent of an alkenyl group or alkynyl group of Ra, Rb, is selected from a hydroxyl group, alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, halogen atom, aromatic hydrocarbon group, heterocyclic group, alkoxy group, guanidino group, alkylthio group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxy group, arylthio group, acyl group, sulfonyl group, heterocyclyloxy group, heterocyclylthio group, amido group, ureido group, carboxyl group, carbamoyl group, oxo group, sulfamoyl group, sulfo group, cyano group, nitro group, acyloxy group, azido group, sulfonamido group, mercapto group, alkoxycarbonylamino group and Rx(Ry)N group,
wherein Rx and Ry respectively and independently are a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, aromatic hydrocarbon group or heterocyclic group;
a substituent of an aromatic hydrocarbon group of R1\u2032 is selected from a hydroxyl group, alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, halogen atom, aromatic hydrocarbon group, heterocyclic group, alkoxy group, guanidino group, alkylthio group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxy group, arylthio group, acyl group, sulfonyl group, heterocyclyloxy group, heterocyclylthio group, amido group, ureido group, carboxyl group, carbamoyl group, oxo group, sulfamoyl group, sulfo group, cyano group, nitro group, acyloxy group, azido group, sulfonamido group, mercapto group, alkoxycarbonylamino group and Rx(Ry)N group,
wherein Rx and Ry respectively and independently are a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, aromatic hydrocarbon group or heterocyclic group;
a substituent of an aromatic hydrocarbon group of Ra and Rb is selected from a hydroxyl group, alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, halogen atom, aromatic hydrocarbon group, heterocyclic group, alkoxy group, guanidino group, alkylthio group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxy group, arylthio group, acyl group, sulfonyl group, heterocyclyloxy group, heterocyclylthio group, amido group, ureido group, carboxyl group, carbamoyl group, oxo group, sulfamoyl group, sulfo group, cyano group, nitro group, acyloxy group, azido group, sulfonamido group, mercapto group, alkoxycarbonylamino group and Rx(Ry)N group,
wherein Rx and Ry respectively and independently are a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, aromatic hydrocarbon group or heterocyclic group;
a substituent of a heterocyclic group of R1\u2032 is selected from a hydroxyl group, primary or secondary alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, halogen atom, aromatic hydrocarbon group, heterocyclic group, alkoxy group, guanidino group, alkylthio group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxy group, arylthio group, acyl group, sulfonyl group, heterocyclyloxy group, heterocyclylthio group, amido group, ureido group, carboxyl group, carbamoyl group, oxo group, sulfamoyl group, sulfo group, cyano group, nitro group, acyloxy group, azido group, sulfonamido group, mercapto group, alkoxycarbonylamino group and Rx(Ry)N group,
wherein Rx and Ry respectively and independently are a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, aromatic hydrocarbon group or heterocyclic group; and
a substituent of a heterocyclic group of Ra and Rb is selected from a hydroxyl group, alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, halogen atom, aromatic hydrocarbon group, heterocyclic group, alkoxy group, guanidino group, alkylthio group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxy group, arylthio group, acyl group, sulfonyl group, heterocyclyloxy group, heterocyclylthio group, amido group, ureido group, carboxyl group, carbamoyl group, oxo group, sulfamoyl group, sulfo group, cyano group, nitro group, acyloxy group, azido group, sulfonamido group, mercapto group, alkoxycarbonylamino group and Rx(Ry)N group,
wherein Rx and Ry respectively and independently are a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, aromatic hydrocarbon group or heterocyclic group.
4. The cycloalkylcarbonylamino acid derivative according to claim 3, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the alkyl group of Ra and Rb is a linear C1-12 alkyl or C3-12 branched or cyclic alkyl, the aromatic hydrocarbon group of R1\u2032, Ra, and Rb is a monocyclic or polycyclic C6-18 aromatic hydrocarbon group, the heterocyclic group of R1\u2032, Ra, and Rb is a 3- to 7-membered ring containing at least one nitrogen atom, oxygen atom or sulfur atom as a ring-constituting hetero atom, provided that an oxazolyl group and a thiazolyl group are excluded from the heterocyclic group of R1\u2032, the alkenyl group of Ra and Rb is a linear C2-12 alkenyl group or C3-12 branched or cyclic alkenyl group, and the alkynyl group of Ra and Rb is a linear C2-12 alkynyl group or C3-12 branched or cyclic alkynyl group.
5. The cycloalkylcarbonylamino acid derivative according to claim 1 or 2, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1 is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group, or substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, provided that an oxazolyl group and a thiazolyl group are excluded from the heterocyclic group of R1, and R2\u2032 is an alkyl group represented by Ra(Rb)CH\u2014
wherein Ra and Rb respectively and independently are a hydrogen atom, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group or substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group.
6. A process for producing a cycloalkylcarbonylamino acid derivative represented by formula (I\u2032) comprising: condensing an oxazolone derivative represented by formula (I0) with an amino alcohol derivative represented by formula (VII\u2032):
wherein R1, R2\u2032 and ring A are the same as defined in claim 1.
7. The cycloalkylcarbonylamino acid derivative according to claim 1 or 2, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R2\u2032 is an isopropyl group.
8. The cycloalkylcarbonylamino acid derivative according to claim 3 or 4, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R2\u2032 is an isopropyl group.
9. The cycloalkylcarbonylamino acid derivative according to claim 3 or 4, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein in the formula (I\u2033), R1\u2032 is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group, or substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, provided that an oxazolyl group and a thiazolyl group are excluded from the heterocyclic group of R1\u2032, and R2\u2032 is an alkyl group of Ra(Rb)CH\u2014
wherein Ra and Rb respectively and independently are a hydrogen atom, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group or substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group.
10. The cycloalkylcarbonylamino acid derivative according to claim 1 or 2, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein in the formula (I\u2032), R1 is a 3- to 7-membered heterocyclic group, containing at least one nitrogen atom, oxygen atom or sulfur atom as a ring-constituting hetero atom, provided that an oxazolyl group and a thiazolyl group are excluded from the heterocyclic group of R1, or a substituted aromatic hydrocarbon group, R2\u2032 is a C1-4 alkyl group, and ring A is a cyclohexylidene group.
11. The cycloalkylcarbonylamino acid derivative according to claim 3 or 4, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein in the formula (I\u2033), R1\u2032 is a 3- to 7-membered heterocyclic group, containing at least one nitrogen atom, oxygen atom or sulfur atom as a ring-constituting hetero atom, provided that an oxazolyl group and a thiazolyl group are excluded from the heterocyclic group of R1\u2032, or a substituted aromatic hydrocarbon group, R2\u2032 is a C1-4 alkyl group, and ring A is a cyclohexylidene group.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A reception apparatus which receives a first and second message, the reception apparatus comprising:
a determination unit configured to determine correspondence between the first message and the second message;
an acquisition unit configured to acquire data length information expressing a data length from the first message; and
an extraction unit configured to extract data which has the data length based on the data length information from the second message when the determination unit determines that the first message corresponds to the second message.
2. The reception apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first message includes identification information about a corresponding second message, and the determination unit uses the identification information to determine whether the first message corresponds to the second message.
3. The reception apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires, from the first message, first data length information including identification information about first data included in the second message and second data length information including identification information about second data included in the second message, and
the extraction unit extracts the first data included in the second message based on the first data length information and extracts second data included in the second message based on the second data length information.
4. The reception apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a detection unit configured to detect a character string expressing start of the data from the second message,
wherein the extraction unit extracts the data which has the data length based on the detected character string and the data length information.
5. The reception apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:
a storage unit configured to correlate and store the data length information and the identification information about the second message; and
a detection unit configured to detect a character string expressing separation of the data from other data from the second message,
wherein when the data length information corresponding to the received second message is not stored in the storage unit, the extraction unit extracts data which has the data length in response to the detection of the character string by the detection unit.
6. A method for extracting data performed by a reception apparatus which receives a first and second message, the method comprising:
determining whether the first message corresponds to the second message;
acquiring data length information expressing data length from the first message; and
extracting data which has the data length based on the data length information from the second message when the second message is determined to correspond to the first message.
7. A computer readable program for causing a computer which receives a first and second message to execute instructions, the program comprising:
determining whether the first message corresponds to the second message;
acquiring data length information expressing data length from the first message; and
extracting data which has the data length based on the data length information from the second message when the second message is determined to correspond to the first message.
8. A transmission apparatus which transmits a first and second message, the transmission apparatus comprising:
a generation unit configured to generate the first message so that data length information related to a data length of the second message which corresponds to the first message is included in the first message; and
a transmission unit configured to transmit the first message and the second message.
9. A method for processing a message by a transmission apparatus which transmits a first and second message and a reception apparatus which receives the first and second message, the method comprising:
causing the transmission apparatus to generate the first message so that data length information related to a data length of the second message which corresponds to the first message is included in the first message, and
transmit the first message and the second message; and
causing the reception apparatus to receive the first and second message,
determine whether the first message corresponds to the second message,
acquire the data length information expressing the data length from the first message, and
extract data which has the data length based on the data length information from the second message when the second message is determined to correspond to the first message.

1. A method of establishing a tunneling Multi-Protocol Label Switched Path (LSP) between nodes in a multicast network, the method comprising:
receiving an instruction to establish a first path from a source node in a first multicast tree to a destination node in the first multicast tree, the first path including a connection between a branching node and a next hop branching node;
establishing an LSP extending from the branching node to the next hop branching node by performing the following steps:
determining a next hop toward the next hop branching node,

wherein the next hop is an intermediate node between the branching node and the next hop branching node,
sending an LSP path request to the next hop,
receiving the request at the next hop,
selecting an ingress label for the LSP at the next hop wherein the ingress label is selected by performing the following steps:
when a second LSP terminating at the next hop branching node and traveling through the next hop exists, selecting a previously assigned ingress label for the second LSP as the ingress label, and
when a second LSP terminating at the next hop branching node and traveling through the next hop does not exist, selecting an unused ingress label as the ingress label, and sending a reply from the next hop, the reply specifying the ingress label and the identification of the next hop branching node;
storing, at the branching node, tunneling information regarding the LSP, the tunneling information including an identification of the next hop branching node;
receiving an instruction to establish a second path from a source node in a second multicast tree to a destination node in the second multicast tree;
determining whether the second path shares the connection between the branching node and the next hop branching node using the identification of the next hop branching node included in the tunneling information; and
when it is determined that the second path shares the connection between the branching node and the next hop branching node, using the LSP as part of the second path, whereby forwarding states are shared between the first multicast tree and the second multicast tree.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the tunneling information stored at the branching node further comprises at least one of an ingress label, an egress label, and an output interface.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the tunneling information stored at the branching node further comprises a path count field indicating the number of paths that share the connection from the branching node to the next hop branching node.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein, when it is determined that the second path shares the connection between the branching node and the next hop branching node, incrementing the path count field by one.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising
upon receipt of a request to tear down a path including the connection from the branching node to the next hop branching node, determining the value of the path count field;
when it is determined that the path count field is greater than one, decrementing the path count field by one; and
when it is determined that the path count field is one, removing the tunneling information from the branching node.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
when it is determined that the second path shares the connection between the branching node and the next hop branching node, determining whether the connection is suitable for sharing prior to using the LSP as part of the second path.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of determining whether the connection is suitable for sharing comprises determining whether the first path and second path have similar or identical quality of service requirements.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the quality of service requirements are specified by a Forwarding Equivalence Class (FEC).
9. A network element for establishing a tunneling Multi-Protocol Label Switched Path (LSP) between network elements in a multicast network, the network element comprising:
data storage containing tunneling information regarding LSPs used for routing of data by the network element; and
circuitry adapted to:
receive an instruction to establish a portion of a first path from a source node in a first multicast tree to a destination node in the first multicast tree, the first path including a connection between the network element and a next hop branching network element;
establish an LSP extending from the network element to the next hop branching network element, the circuitry being further adapted to:
determine a next hop network element toward the next hop branching network element, wherein the next hop network element is located between the network element and the next bop branching network element,
send an LSP path request to the next hop network element,
receive the request at the next hop network element,
select an ingress label for the LSP at the next hop network element, the circuitry being further adapted to:
when a second LSP terminating at the next hop branching node and traveling through the next hop exists, select a previously assigned ingress label for the second LSP as the ingress label, and
when a second LSP terminating at the next hop branching node and traveling through the next hop does not exist, select an unused ingress label as the ingress label, and

send a reply from the next hop network element, the reply specifying the ingress label and the identification of the next hop branching network element;
store an identification of the next hop branching network element in the tunneling information contained in the data storage;

receive an instruction to establish a portion of a second path from a source node in a second multicast tree to a destination node in the second multicast tree;
determine whether the second path shares the connection between the network element and the next hop branching network element using the identification of the next hop branching network element included in the tunneling information; and
when it is determined that the second path shares the connection between the network element and the next hop branching network element, use the LSP as part of the second path, whereby forwarding states are shared between the first multicast tree and the second multicast tree.
10. The network element of claim 9, wherein the tunneling information further comprises at least one of an ingress label, an egress label, and an output interface.
11. The network element of claim 9, wherein the tunneling information further comprises a path count field indicating the number of paths that share the connection from the network element to the next hop branching network element.
12. The network element of claim 11, wherein, when the circuitry determines that the second path shares the connection between the network element and the next hop branching network element, incrementing the path count field by one.
13. The network element of claim 9, wherein the circuitry is further adapted to:
upon receipt of a request to tear down a path including the connection from the network element to the next hop branching network element, determine the value of the path count field;
when it is determined that the path count field is greater than one, decrement the path count field by one; and
when it is determined that the path count field is one, remove the tunneling information from the network element.
14. The network element of claim 9, wherein the circuitry is further adapted to:
when it is determined that the second path shares the connection between the network element and the next hop branching network element, determine whether the connection is suitable for sharing prior to using the LSP as part of the second path.
15. The network element of claim 14, wherein the determination whether the connection is suitable for sharing comprises determining whether the first path and second path have similar or identical quality of service requirements.
16. The network element of claim 15, wherein the quality of service requirements are specified by a Forwarding Equivalence Class (FEC).
17. A method of establishing a tunneling Multi-Protocol Label Switched Path (LSP) between nodes in a multicast network, the method comprising:
establishing a plurality of LSPs by performing the steps of:
designating each router in the network as either an edge router (ER) or a core router (CR), and
establishing a LSP between a first ER and a subject router only when:
the subject router is either an ER or a CR having more than two outgoing links to routers in the multicast network, and

the subject router is on the shortest path between the first ER and a second ER; receiving an instruction to establish a first path from a source node in a first multicast tree to a destination node in the first multicast tree, the first path including a connection between a branching node and a next hop branching node;

storing, at the branching node, tunneling information regarding one of the plurality of LSPs, the tunneling information including an identification of the next hop branching node;
receiving an instruction to establish a second path from a source node in a second multicast tree to a destination node in the second multicast tree;
determining whether the second path shares the connection between the branching node and the next hop branching node using the identification of the next hop branching node included in the tunneling information; and
when it is determined that the second path shares the connection between the branching node and the next hop branching node, using the one of the plurality of LSPs as part of the second path, whereby forwarding states are shared between the first multicast tree and the second multicast tree.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the plurality of LSPs is established by a central network management device.
19. A system for establishing a tunneling Multi-Protocol Label Switched Path (LSP) between network elements in a multicast network, the system comprising:
a network management device adapted to establish a plurality of LSPs by executing instructions adapted to:
designate each router in the network as either an edge router (ER) or a core router (CR), and
establish an LSP between a first ER and a subject router only when:
the subject router is either an ER or a CR having more than two outgoing links to routers in the multicast network, and
the subject router is on the shortest path between the first ER and a second ER; and
a network node comprising:
data storage containing tunneling information regarding LSPs used for routing of data by the network element, and
circuitry adapted to:
receive an instruction to establish a portion of a first path from a source node in a first multicast tree to a destination node in the first multicast tree, the first path including a connection between the network element and a next hop branching network element,
select one of the plurality of LSPs extending from the network element to the next hop branching network element,
store an identification of the next hop branching network element in the tunneling information contained in the data storage,
receive an instruction to establish a portion of a second path from a source node in a second multicast tree to a destination node in the second multicast tree,
determine whether the second path shares the connection between the network element and the next hop branching network element using the identification of the next hop branching network element included in the tunneling information, and
when it is determined that the second path shares the connection between the network element and the next hop branching network element, use the one of the plurality of LSPs as part of the second path, whereby forwarding states are shared between the first multicast tree and the second multicast tree.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A power equipment test system for testing low and medium voltage three phase AC circuits comprising:
a computer for providing an operator interface for the power equipment test system; and
a test unit operable to perform the testing of the low and medium voltage three phase AC circuits; wherein the test unit is physically connected to the low and medium voltage three phase AC circuits and wirelessly connected to the computer such that the testing can be performed by an operator located remotely from the low and medium voltage three phase AC circuits.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the low and medium voltage three phase AC circuits are resident within power equipment of an underground mine.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the test unit comprises:
at least one processor connected to at least one power meter to receive test data during testing, the at least one power meter operably connected to the low and medium voltage three phase AC circuits to receive electrical input from the low and medium voltage three phase AC circuits;
at least one wireless communication device for wirelessly connecting the at least one processor to the computer;
at least one storage device connected to the at least one processor, the at least one storage device storing test data and reports generated by the processor from the test data; and,
at least one interposing relay connected to at least one ground fault test relay or at least one ground monitor test relay.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein the test unit further comprises at least one data retrieval device operably connected to the at least one storage device to at least one of retrieve test data stored in the at least one storage device, retrieve test reports stored in the at least one storage device, generate test reports from retrieved test data stored in the at least one storage device, print test reports stored in the at least one storage device, and print test reports generated from test data stored in the at least one storage device.
5. An automated low and medium voltage circuit test device comprising:
at least one processor connected to at least one power meter to receive test data during testing, the at least one power meter operably connected to the low and medium voltage circuits to receive electrical input from the low and medium voltage circuits;
at least one wireless communication device for wirelessly connecting the at least one processor to an external computer;
at least one storage device connected to the at least one processor, the at least one storage device storing test data and reports generated by the processor from the test data;
at least one interposing relay connected to at least one ground fault test relay or at least one ground monitor test relay and further connected to the at least one processor; and,
at least one data retrieval device operably connected to the at least one storage device to at least one of retrieve test data stored in the at least one storage device, retrieve test reports stored in the at least one storage device, and generate test reports from retrieved test data stored in the at least one storage device;
wherein the at least one processor controls the testing based on input received from the external computer.
6. The device of claim 5 wherein the electrical input comprises voltage and current inputs; the low and medium voltage circuits comprise low and medium voltage three phase AC circuits; and the power meter is physically connected to the low and medium voltage circuits.
7. The device of claim 5 wherein the test data is stored remotely from the device.
8. The device of claim 5 wherein a report is generated remotely from the device using the stored test data and saved in file format for later retrieval.
9. A method for testing power equipment using a computer remotely located from the power equipment and wirelessly connected to a test unit physically connected to the power equipment, the method comprising:
providing a computer as an operator interface to a test unit operable to perform the testing of power equipment; physically connecting the test unit to the power equipment; and wirelessly connecting the test unit to the computer; whereby the testing can be performed by an operator located remotely from the test unit and the power equipment.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the power equipment is resident with an underground mine and comprises low and medium voltage three phase AC circuits.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein physically connecting the test unit to the low and medium voltage three phase AC circuits comprises operably connecting at least one power meter of the test unit to the low and medium voltage three phase AC circuits to receive electrical input from the low and medium voltage three phase AC circuits.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising
connecting at least one processor to the at least one power meter to receive test data from the power meter at the at least one processor during testing;
testing the low and medium voltage three phase AC circuits;
receiving test data from the at least one power meter at the at least one processor during testing;
displaying the test data received at the at least one processor at the computer via the wireless connection between the computer and the test unit;
generating reports from the test data by the at least one processor; and,
storing the test data received at the at least one processor and the reports generated by the at least one processor in at least one storage device of the test unit.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein testing the low and medium voltage three phase AC circuits comprises actuating at least one interposing relay connected to at least one ground fault test relay or at least one ground monitor test relay.
14. The method of claim 12 further comprising:
retrieving test data stored in the at least one storage device;
retrieving test reports stored in the at least one storage device;
generating test reports from retrieved test data stored in the at least one storage device;
printing test reports stored in the at least one storage device; and
printing test reports generated from test data stored in the at least one storage device,
whereby the retrieving test data, retrieving test reports, generating test reports, printing test reports stored in the at least one storage device, and printing test reports generated from test data are accomplished via at least one data retrieval device operably connected to the at least one storage device.
15. The method of claim 14 further comprising storing test data and test reports in at least one storage device located remotely from the test unit and operably connected to the at least one data retrieval device.
16. The method of claim 9 wherein physically connecting the test unit to the power equipment comprises plugging an automated circuit tester into a receptacle on a panel of a power circuit to be tested; and wherein the testing of the power equipment comprises:
powering on the automated circuit tester by one of activating a power button, activating a power switch, and booting the automated circuit tester from a computer wirelessly connected to the automated circuit tester;
accessing a processor of the automated circuit tester from the computer wirelessly connected to the automated circuit tester;
initiating test sequences of a circuit breaker in the circuit being tested in both on and off position by the processor under one of program control and operator request from the computer;
receiving voltage and current readings from a power meter operably connected to the circuit under test at the processor for each test sequence;
transmitting the voltage and current readings for each test sequence from the automated circuit tester to the computer for display;
saving the voltage and current readings for each test sequence to at least one test data storage device;
initiating a ground monitor test sequence for the circuit being tested by the processor under one of program control and operator request from the computer;
receiving voltage and current readings from a power meter operably connected to the circuit under test at the processor for the ground monitor test sequence;
transmitting the voltage and current readings for the ground monitor test sequence from the automated circuit tester to the computer for display;
saving the voltage and current readings for the ground monitor test sequence to at least one test data storage device;
initiating one or more ground fault test sequences for the circuit being tested by the processor under one of program control and operator request from the computer;
receiving voltage and current readings from a power meter operably connected to the circuit under test at the processor for each of the one or more ground fault test sequences;
transmitting the voltage and current readings for each of the one or more ground fault test sequences from the automated circuit tester to the computer for display; and,
saving the voltage and current readings for each of the one or more ground fault test sequences to at least one test data storage device.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the power equipment is mining equipment circuitry.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the mining equipment circuitry is low and medium voltage three phase AC circuitry.
19. The method of claim 16 wherein the at least one storage device is resident remotely from the test unit.
20. The method of claim 16 further comprising generating a report from the saved voltage and current readings remotely from the test unit.